DOC SACKED FOR FAILING BABY P SUES FOR pounds 100,000.

Byline: TOM PARRY 

THE doctor who failed to notice Baby P had a broken back and ribs days before his death is suing the children's hospital that sacked her.

Dr Sabah Al-Zayyat, who decided she could not carry out a full checkup as the little boy was "miserable and cranky", is claiming damages of pounds 100,000.

Two days after she saw him, baby Peter died in a blood-spattered cot at the hands of his mother, her lover and their lodger.

Saudi-born Dr Al-Zayyat had her contract with the world-renowned Great Ormond Street children's hospital ter-minateafter the tragedy came to light.

Last November the consultant paediatrician was suspended by the General Medical Council while an investigation takes place. A spokes-womanfothe London hospital said: "We can confirm we have received notice of legal action. The trust will vigorously defend its position.

"We believe we acted fairly and in the interests of patients.

"A detailed rebuttal of Dr AlZayyat's claims will have to wait for any hearing. We didn't scapegoat her. The case surrounds her dismissal after the decision not to renew her fixed-term contract." Baby Peter died on August 3, 2007, in Haringey, North London.

During the trial of his killers Dr Al-Zayyat, 52, of Ilford, Essex, told the jury: "He didn't look any different to a child with a cold."

In a statement last year she said: "Like everyone involved in this case, I have been deeply affected by the shocking and tragic circum-stanceof this young child's death. My professional career has been devoted to the care of children.

"I will co-operate with any investigation to identify if lessons can be learned from this case."

It is believed her claim will be for at least pounds 100,000 on the grounds of unfair dismissal as she argues she was made a scapegoat for wider failures in the hospital.

CAPTION(S):

PROBE Al-Zayyat BATTERED Tragic baby Peter